Electrical switch



Jan. 10, 1967 STRAUSS 3,297,156

ELECTRICAL SWITCH Original Filed July 24. 1959 Fig- 3 2o3 Fig. 9.

INVENTOR. Irving Strauss BY Arthur Ac March ATTORNEY United StatesPatent 3,297,156 ELECTRICAL WiTtCH Irving Strauss, 81 Cherry Hiii, lairfield, Bridgeport, Court. @6604 Original application Aug. 24, 1959,Ser. No. 835,631, now Patent No. 3,109,901, dated Nov. 5, 1963. Dividedand this application Nov. 4, 1%3, Ser. No. 321,208 6 Claims. (Ci.wit-67) This application is a division of my copending application Ser.No. 835,631, filed Aug. 24, 1959, now Patent No. 3,109,901.

This invention relates to electrical switches, and more particularly toswitches of the general class wherein the contact making member or meanshas a rate and extent of movement which is different from that of theoperator member to which the operating force is directly applied.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved electricalswitch device wherein there is a large ratio between the movements ofthe contact-carrying member and the switch operating member while at thesame time the switch structure is extremely simple, uncomplicated andeconomical to fabricate and manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved and simplifiedquick-acting type electrical switch, wherein only a relatively small andslow operating movement is required to effect a quick-acting,large-magnitude movement of the contact means.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved electricalswitch in accordance with the foregoing, wherein one or several circuitsmay be controlled to either open or close the same with but extremelylittle force being required on the switch operator.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved switchmechanism as above characterized, having a large ratio of movementtogether with extreme simplicity, wherein there is obtained a desirablewiping action of the contacts, thereby to normally maintain the same inrelatively clean and operative condition throughout an extended periodof use.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improvedelectrical switch device as set forth above, which may employ either adirect or indirect actuating or operating system and which ischaracterized by an elongate actuator device placed in operation by theapplication of a longitudinally directed force to either one of bothends of said device, to translate said force into a lateral movement ofa portion of the device for causing circuit-controlling movement of oneor several electrical contacts carried thereby.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improvedmomentary-contact switch construction employing an elongate actuatingdevice as outlined, wherein an inherent spring action is had, thereby toobviate the necessity for additional components for the purpose ofreturning the switch to an initial or starting position.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an improvedsimplified elongate switch actuator device as characterized, wherein alarge ratio of movement exists between the relatively longitudinallydirected end force which is applied to the device and the resultantlateral movement of the contact or contacts carried by the device.

In the drawings accompanying this specification similar characters ofreference are used to designate like components wherever possiblethroughout the several views, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a simple, single pole of aswitch mechanism of the type used in 3,Z7,l5h Patented Jan. 10, 1967this invention, the switch being shown in open-circuit position;

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1 but shows the pole of the switch inclosed-circuit position;

FIG. 3 shows a modified form of pole;

FIG. 4 shows a complete switch in diagrammatic form constructedaccording to the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a modified form of the switch of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows another modified form of the switch of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 shows a modified pole arrangement for the switches of FIGS. 4-6,the pole being shown in open position;

FIG. 8 shows another form of pole in open circuit position;

FIG. 9 shows the pole of FIG. 8 in closed position;

FIG. 10 shows another form of pole for the switch of FIGS. 4-6 in opencircuit position; and

FIG. 11 shows the pole of FIG. 10 in closed-circuit position.

An understanding of the basic action underlying the switch mechanism ofthe present invention may be readily had by first referring to thestructures shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As illustrated in these figures, theswitch comprises an elongate resilient blade member indicated generallyby the numeral 25, said member being also hereinafter referred to as anelongate actuator device. While in FIGS. 1 and 2 and in otherillustrated embodiments of the invention the elongate actuator device isconstituted of a single resilient strip, the invention is not limited tosuch construction since the actuator device may be formed of a number ofseparate parts, as for example rigid arms pivotally connected togetheras described in detail below.

The elongate actuator device may thus be considered as constituted of apair of substantially aligned actuator arms 27 and 28, having juxtaposedends or end portions 29 and 30 respectively, the said end portions beingoperatively connected together. In the illustrated embodiments of FIGS.1 and 2 the end portions 29, 30 of the arms 27, 28 are integral witheach other, and accordingly the operable connection between said endportions is characterized by a certain degree of flexibility but with nolooseness, free pivotal movement or play of any kind. As will behereinafter brought out, in other forms of the invention the two armsmaking up the elongate actuator device may be pivotally secured togetheras by means of suitable pin connections.

As shown, the remote ends 32 and 33 of the arms 27, 28 are received insockets 34 and 35 respectively provided in end mounting means or members37, 38. The end mounting means 37 and 38 may be connected by suitableleads 40 and 41 with electrical terminals 42, 43, as shown.

The juxtaposed end portions 29, 30 of the arms 27, 28 have secured tothem an electrical switch contact 45 which is cooperable and engageable:with a stationary electrical contact'46 connected by means of a'lead 47with an electrical terminal 48. It is to be noted that while forillustrative purposes the contact 45 is described as a separate partsecured to the arms, the present invention nevertheless contemplates theprovision of a contact surface which is a part of and integral with thearms themselves.

The elongate actuator device comprising the bowed flexible strip 25 maybe formed of any suitable material, such as spring steel, spring brassor bronze, beryllium copper, stainless steel, etc. As illustrated in thefigures, the actuator or strip 25 is always bowed, either to a greateror lesser extent, regardless of whether the switch contacts 45, 46 areengaged or separated. In FIG. 1

the switch contacts are shown in their separated posi- 9 a tions, and.in accordance with the present invention closure of the switch andengagement of the contacts 45, 46 is effected in response to theapplication of a longitudinally directed operating force on either oneor else both of the mounting means 37, 38.

In FIG. 2, such operating force is represented by the arrow 50, appliedto the left mounting member 37. The application of the force 50 willcause an increased flexing of the actuator device 25, whereby the centerportion thereof, constituted of the arm ends 29, 30 and the switchcontact 45, will be shifted laterally of the actuator device and in anupward direction until the contact 45 engages the cooperable stationarycontact 46.

It will be seen that with the novel and improved switch constructionillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 a relatively small movement of either orboth of the end mounting means 37, 38' will result in a correspondinglygreater lateral movement of the movable contact 45 whereby a desirablemovement multiplying action is had. Thus, in response to a relativelyshort travel of one or both of the end mounting means, the movablecontact may be caused to travel a correspondingly greater extent, andalso to more rapidly move into engagement with the stationary contact46. Conversely, upon the removal of the operating force from themounting means, the spring action of the actuator device 25 will restoreit to the initial flexed condition shown in FIG. 1 and opening of theswitch will be characterized by a relatively rapid movement of thecontact 45 together with a great extent of movement, as compared withthe movements of the end mounting means 37, 38. As "is well-known incertain applications, the rapid separation of contact points or surfacesis beneficial in minimizing arcing, sparking and the like, and thepresent switch construction by virtue of the quick-break action, alsohas an advantage in this respect. In conjunction with the large ratio ofmovements, the quick-acting make and break and the wiping action of thecontacts, the switch construction shown in FIGS. 14 has the addedadvantage of an inherent return force without requiring the utilizationof separate springs or other biasing means, since the bowed member 25may be formed with the desired bias to effect separation of the contacts45, 4-6 upon removal of the operating force from the end mounting means.

While the operation of the actuator devices per se is described inconnection with FIGS. 1 and 2, the complete switch with which thepresent invention is concerned is shown in FIGS. 46. One embodiment ofthe invention is illustrated in FIG. 4, wherein a rotary shaft 115 isprovided, carrying an operator disc 116 having notches 117 and 118, inconjunction with elongate actuator devices 119, 121). It will be readilyunderstood that counterclockwise turning of the disc 116 will effect agreater fiexure of the devices 119, 120 and closing of the switchcircuits, and upon removal of the operating force from the disc 116 theresilience of the devices 119, 120 will cause them to flex to a lesserdegree, returning the operating disc 116 to its open circuit position.An arm 121 is carried by the operating disc 116 and is adapted to engagea fixed stop member 121a whereby the return movement of the operatingdisc may be stopped at a predetermined point.

In FIG. 5 an operating lever 122 has notches 123 accommodating the endsof elongate actuator devices 125, in an organization where four separatecircuits may be controlled. counterclockwise turning movement of thelever 122 will effect a closing of the upper left and lower right switchdevices, and clockwise movement of the lever 122 will effect an openingof such devices and a closing of the upper right and lower left switchdevices. If, for example, only the upper left and lower right switchdevices are-employed and the other switch devices are omitted, stop 127may be utilized for engagement with the lever 122 to provide theopposing or reactive force which was removed by removal of the upperright and lower left switch devices.

FIG. 6 illustrates an organization quite similar to that of FIG. 13except that the operating lever 122 is replaced by an operating disc orwheel 129, having notches 131) which function in the manner of thenotches 123 in the lever 122. The operation of the switches in FIGS. 13and 14 is otherwise similar.

Another type of actuator device for use in the switches of FIGS. 4-6 isillustrated in FIG. 7, wherein the elongate actuator device 143comprises a pair of rigid arms 144, 145, the remote ends of said armsbeing received in sockets 146, 147 respectively of and mounting means148, 149. The juxtaposed end portions 150, 151 of the rigid arms 144,may be operatively connected together by a pivotal connection employinga pivot pin 153. One actuator arm, as for example, the arm 145 shown inFIG. 7 may have an extension 155 provided with a movable contact 156which is cooperable with a stationary contact 158. Upon the applicationof an operating force to one or both of the end mounting means, asindicated by the arrows 160 in FIG. 7, the movable contact 156 will beshifted laterally with respect to the actuator device, and will bebrought into engagement with the stationary contact 158, thereby toclose the switch circuit. With this construction, a slightly greatermechanical advantage or multiplication of movement is had, whereby alarger and faster movement of the contact 156 is experienced withrespect to the movement of the end mounting means 148, 149 as effectedby the operating force 160. A return spring 162 may be provided, toeffect opening of the switch circuit and straightening of the actuatorarms 144, 145 upon removal of the operating force 160.

Another form of actuator device is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. In thisform, an elongate actuator device 165 is provided, in the form of abowed strip, and such strip may be considered as being constituted oftwo actuator arms, each arm comprising a half of the strip. Thus, thecenter portion 167 or the strip 165 may be thought of as the junction orconnection between the two actuator arms, which latter have been labeled168 and 169 in the figures. Therefore, the juxtaposed end portions ofthe actuator arms 168, 169 may be thought of as being operativelyconnected together at the mid-point 167 of the actuator device 165,insofar as the action and functioning of the said device is concerned.For the center portion 167 of the actuator device will be shiftedlaterally at a greater speed and with a greater travel than one of theend mounting means of the switch mechanism, upon the application of anoperating force (as shown by the arrow 170 in FIG. -9) thereto. Thus,the action of the elongate actuator device 165 is similar in manyrespects to the other forms of the invention described above.

In FIGS. 8 and 9 a separate contact carrying arm 172 is provided, havinga movable contact 173 cooperable and engageable with a fixed contact174, the arm 172 being secured to an end portion of the actuator device165. In the figures, the contact carrying arm 172 is shown as secured tothe left end portion of the actuator device. With this organizationthere is retained the resilient or spring action characteristic of abowed actuator device while at the same time an even greater ratio ofmovement exists between the movable contact and the end mounting meansto which the operating force is applied. Also, there is present a wipingaction of the contacts upon their being engaged, and dimensions need notbe critical inasmuch as the contact carrying arm 172 may also be maderesilient, whereby it can yield after effecting engagement between thecontacts 173 and 174. A single operating force is indicated at 170,resulting in an unbalanced arrangement.

Still another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 10 and11, wherein an elongate actuator device 175 is provided, having rigidarms 176, 177 which are pin connected together with a pin 178. The arms176,

177 may be pivotally mounted at their remote ends, and an operatingforce 180 may be applied to one of the pivotal mounting pins, to effectlateral movement of the center portion of the actuator device, where thepivot pin 178 is located. A contact carrying arm 182 may be provided,secured to one of the actuator arms 176, 177, said carrier beingprovided with a movable contact 182 which is cooperable with astationary contact 183, as shown. In FIGS. and 11 the contact carryingarm or extension 184 is illustrated as carried by the left actuator arm176 of the switch mechanism, and the contact carrier may be either rigidor else resilient, as will be understood. With this organization as withthe embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9 an added mechanical advantage is bad inthat an even greater ratio of movement exists between the operatingforce 180 and the movable con-' tact 182. As shown, a return spring isprovided to open the switch circuit and straighten the actuator arms176, 177 upon removal of the operating force 180.

In the modified form of the switch actuator device, or pole, shown inFIG. 3 the actuator arm 201 is made of non-conductive material, such asplastic or the like. Upon the flexing of the arm by application of force202 the actuator 201 will flex and shift in an upward direction toengage and move the movable contact 45, thereupon causing the movablecontact 203 to engage the cooperable stationary contact 204, providing acircuit of which the actuating arm is not a part. It will be understoodthat while the actuating arm 201 has been described as being ofnon-conductive material, the same results may be obtained by providingan insulating cover over the metal arms hereinbefore described.

While in the description the contacts have been usually set forth ascomprising separate parts, it is to be understood that the contacts maybe an integral part of the switch arms, which themselves will thenprovide contact surfaces to equal advantage.

From the foregoing it will now be understood that I have provided by thepresent invention an extremely simple, sensitive and efiicientelectrical switch mechanism wherein relatively small operating forcesare required while at the same time effecting high contact pressures.The switch mechanisms are characterized by rapid make and break, and ahigh ratio of movement between the cooperable contacts and the operatingforce applied to operate the switch. In conjunction with theseadvantages there is also had a wiping action of the contacts, togetherwith a simple, inherent spring action for effecting return of themembers to their initial positions. Switch mechanisms employing opposedor balanced operating forces and also unbalanced forces are illustrated,and the balanced or opposed-force type of mechanism may be self-lockingin one position and may be tripped with the application of a very smalloperating force, and also maintained in one position by a smalloperating force.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims,and portions of the improvement may be used without others.

What is claimed is:

1. In an electrical switch, a first and a second elongate actuatordevice, each of said devices comprising: a pair of substantially alignedactuator arms joined together to include an obtuse angle and resilientlybiased to increase said angle, said arms having juxtaposed endsoperatively connected together; means mounting the remote end of one ofsaid arms of each of said devices to permit at least limited angularmovement of said one of said arms and to prevent substantiallongitudinal movement of said one of said arms; a pivotal support memberpivoted about an axis and having first and second engagement receptaclesdisposed on opposite sides of said support member and engaging theremote end of the other said arms of said first and second devices,respectively, said axis being between said receptacles but offset fromthe tangential line of movement of said receptacles, whereby pivoting ofsaid member in one direction produces angular movement of said arms ofsaid first actuator device to reduce the angle between said arms of saidfirst device, thereby laterally shifting in one direction the juxtaposedends of said arms of said first actuator device, said pivotal movementof said member simultaneously increasing the angle between said arms ofsaid second actuator device and laterally shifting the juxtaposed endsof said arms of said second device in the opposite direction; a firstelectrical switch contact engageable with one of said arms of said firstactuator device to move' therewith in the same direction as thejuxtaposed ends of the arms of said first actuator device; a secondelectrical contact engageable with one of said arms of said secondactuator device to move therewith in the same direction as thejuxtaposed ends of said arms of said second actuator device; and thirdand fourth switch contacts engageable with said first and second switchcontacts, respectively, when said first and second switch contacts areshifted in predetermined directions by rotation of said member.

2. The invention as described in claim 1 comprising, in addition: thirdand fourth actuator devices, each comprising a pair of substantiallyaligned actuator arms joined together to include an obtuse angle andresiliently biased to increase said angle, said arms having juxtaposedends operatively connected together, said pivotal member having thirdand fourth mounting receptacles symmetrically arranged with respect tosaid first and second mounting receptacles about said axis, the remoteend of one of said arms of each of said third and fourth actuatordevices engaging said third and fourth receptacles, respectively,whereby said third and fourth actuator devices operate conversely tosaid first and second actuator devices, respectively.

3. The invention as described in claim 1 in which said actuator arms arenon-conductive and all of said switch contacts are suspended adjacentthereto.

4. The invention as described in claim 1 in which: said arms aresubstantially rigid and each of said actuator devices comprises a springattached to one of said arms of each of said devices to bias said armsto increase the angle therebetween, said apparatus comprising, inaddition, a substantially rigid member extending from one of said armsof each of said devices, said extension attached to said first devicesupporting said first electrical switch contact, and said extensionattached to said second device supporting said second electrical switchcontact.

5. The invention as described in claim 1 in which: each of said arms isresiliently flexible and the pair of arms of each of said actuatordevices comprises a single resilient elongated member.

6. The invention as described in claim 5 comprising, in addition: anextension attached to the remote end of one of said arms of each of saidactuator devices to pivot therewith, said extensions supporting saidfirst and second electrical switch contact, respectively.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,925,612 9/1933Snell.

2,194,533 3/1940 Van Dyke.

2,391,881 1/1946 Clay 200-159 X 2,923,787 2/1960 Nelson.

ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner. KATHLEEN H. CLAFFY, Examiner. D.SMITH, JR., Assistant Examiner.

1. IN AN ELECTRICAL SWITCH, A FIRST AND A SECOND ELONGATE ACTUATORDEVICE, EACH OF SAID DEVICES COMPRISING: A PAIR OF SUBSTANTIALLY ALIGNEDACTUATOR ARMS JOINED TOGETHER TO INCLUDE AN OBTUSE ANGLE AND RESILIENTLYBIASED TO INCREASE SAID ANGLE, SAID ARMS HAVING JUXTAPOSED ENDSOPERATIVELY CONNECTED TOGETHER; MEANS MOUNTING THE REMOTE END OF ONE OFSAID ARMS OF EACH OF SAID DEVICES TO PERMIT AT LEAST LIMITED ANGULARMOVEMENT OF SAID ONE OF SAID ARMS AND TO PREVENT SUBSTANTIALLONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT OF SAID ONE OF SAID ARMS; A PIVOTAL SUPPORT MEMBERPIVOTED ABOUT AN AXIS AND HAVING FIRST AND SECOND ENGAGEMENT RECEPTACLESDISPOSED ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID SUPPORT MEMBER AND ENGAGING THEREMOTE END OF THE OTHER SAID ARMS OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND DEVICES,RESPECTIVELY, SAID AXIS BEING BETWEEN SAID RECEPTACLES BUT OFFSET FROMTHE TANGENTIAL LINE OF MOVEMENT OF SAID RECEPTACLES, WHEREBY PIVOTING OFSAID MEMBER IN ONE DIRECTION PRODUCES ANGULAR MOVEMENT OF SAID ARMS OFSAID FIRST ACTUATOR DEVICE TO REDUCE THE ANGLE BETWEEN SAID ARMS OF SAIDFIRST DEVICE, THEREBY LATERALLY SHIFTING IN ONE DIRECTION THE JUXTAPOSEDENDS OF SAID ARMS OF SAID FIRST ACTUATOR DEVICE, SAID PIVOTAL MOVEMENTOF SAID MEMBER SIMULTANEOUSLY INCREASING THE ANGLE BETWEEN SAID ARMS OFSAID SECOND ACTUATOR DEVICE AND LATERALLY SHIFTING THE JUXTAPOSED ENDSOF SAID ARMS OF SECOND DEVICE IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION; A FIRSTELECTRICAL SWITCH CONTACT ENGAGEABLE WITH ONE OF SAID ARMS OF SAID FIRSTACTUATOR DEVICE TO MOVE THEREWITH IN THE SAME DIRECTION AS THEJUXTAPOSED ENDS OF THE ARMS OF SAID FIRST ACTUATOR DEVICE; A SECONDELECTRICAL CONTACT ENGAGEABLE WITH ONE OF SAID ARMS OF SAID SECONDACTUATOR DEVICE TO MOVE THEREWITH IN THE SAME DIRECTION AS THEJUXTAPOSED ENDS OF SAID ARMS OF SAID SECOND ACTUATOR DEVICE; AND THIRDAND FOURTH SWITCH CONTACTS ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID FIRST AND SECOND SWITCHCONTACTS, RESPECTIVELY, WHEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND SWITCH CONTACTS ARESHIFTED IN PREDETERMINED DIRECTIONS BY ROTATION OF SAID MEMBER.